UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Keir Starmer faces backlash for using taxpayer-funded jet to attend the Women’s Euro final, despite Labour’s previous criticism of government air travel.
As reported by The Telegraph, the Labour leader has come under fire for using a government jet to attend the Women’s Euro final, with opponents calling the move “staggering hypocrisy.”
He flew to Zurich on the Government’s VIP jet on Sunday to attend the Women’s Euro final. Despite costing the public £35,000, the flight landed less than an hour before the next scheduled service from London.
Where did Keir Starmer fly after the Euro final?
Flight data confirms Sir Keir departed from London Stansted. He travelled aboard a government aircraft leased by the Cabinet Office.
He arrived in Zurich at 2:18 pm. This was just under an hour before a scheduled Swiss Air flight and less than two hours after a British Airways departure.
Mr Starmer was seated at the match as England’s women secured a dramatic penalty win over Spain, defending their title for a second consecutive year.
He boarded the same aircraft for a flight from Zurich to Prestwick Airport, located near the Turnberry resort, ahead of a planned meeting with Donald Trump.
The return flight is estimated to have cost at least £40,000. It left Zurich just 85 minutes after a commercial flight to Edinburgh, only a 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Turnberry.
The Labour leader will board another government jet from Prestwick to Aberdeen, where he is scheduled to visit a second Trump-owned property near the city.
What did the Conservatives say about Keir Starmer’s government jet trip?
Tories branded Keir Starmer’s actions as “staggering” hypocrisy, highlighting Labour had previously slammed Sunak for using private flights before the general election.
Mike Wood, a shadow Cabinet Office minister, stated, “Yet again, it’s one rule for him and one for everyone else with two-tier Keir.
He said,
“The hypocrisy is staggering. After acting holier-than-thou in opposition, Starmer has totally changed his tone in government, and still wants to pretend to the public that he is different.”
Mr Wood added,
“But the British people will not be fooled – they see Keir Starmer for exactly who he is.”
What happened to Labour’s pledge to cut jet costs?
Recent data reveal Labour ministers have spent £102,000 on domestic private flights in the 10 months since the last election. However, Rishi Sunak’s government recorded £36,900 in domestic private jet expenses after taking office in October 2022.
Ms Reeves committed to enforcing the ministerial code on private jet use, arguing it could save millions due to the high cost of air travel.
In last year’s Budget, she introduced a 50% tax increase on private jet users to cut emissions in the aviation sector.
When in opposition, Mr Starmer criticised the Conservatives’ use of private jets, saying Sunak “doesn’t understand” public sentiment as “the view on the ground is very different to that from his private jet.”
Downing Street’s views on Keir Starmer’s travel costs
A Downing Street spokesperson said the Government does not intervene in decisions about Sir Keir Starmer’s travel, but confirmed that the expenses are routinely disclosed.
They added,
“We always take an approach to the Prime Minister’s travel that there is value for money for the taxpayer.”